Liverpool have suffered another blow in defence ahead of their Premier League clash with Leicester City on Thursday. Centre-back Virgil van Dijk is expected to miss the match due to an illness. Liverpool have been struggling with injuries to Joe Gomez, Dejan Lovren, and Trent Alexander-Arnold in recent weeks. Van Dijk’s omission will be a major blow to the team.

Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool’s backbone

Van Dijk missed Liverpool’s Monday training session due to illness and is in a race to be fit for the game. The Dutchman has been the Reds’ most important defender this term and without him, Liverpool will have a hole in defence.

Lovern is ready to take Van Dijk’s place in the team. Manager Jurgen Klopp will pair the Croatian with Joel Matip if Van Dijk isn’t fit.

Lovren has missed Liverpool’s last two matches due to a hamstring injury.

Liverpool thin in defence

Liverpool are thin in defence due to injuries and suspension. James Milner will miss the fixture due to the two yellow cards he received against Crystal Palace in the team’s last league encounter.

Alexander-Arnold is still nursing a knee injury and isn’t expected to play. Gomez is still on the recovery trail as well.

Klopp must decide whether to start Fabinho or Rafael Camacho at right-back. There is a good chance Klopp will select Camacho and keep Fabinho in the centre of midfield.

Camacho appeared in Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup. His performance showed promise. It also gave an indication of why Klopp loaned Nathaniel Clyne to Bournemouth and kept the young Portuguese player.

Liverpool are four points ahead of title rivals Manchester City. However, the Reds could be just one point about the Cityzens by the time they kick off at Anfield on Wednesday night.

Pep Guardiola’s team visit Newcastle United on Tuesday with the chance to pull within one point of Liverpool.